Light modifying attachment for flashlights



Feb. 11, 1958 H. G. GRAUBNER 2,823,300

LIGHT MODIFYING ATTACHMENT FOR FLASHLIGHTS Filed July 1, 1954 INVENTOR HERMAN G. GRAUBNER ATTO R N EY United States Patent Q LIGHT MODIFYING ATTACHMENT FOR FLASHLIGHTS Herman G. Granbner, New York, N. Y., assignor to gnion Carbide Corporation, a corporation of New ork Application July 1, 1954, Serial No. 440,781 2 Claims. (Cl. 24010.6)

This invention relates to a flashlight attachment, and more particularly concerns a light diffusing or signalling attachment that is adapted to be applied to or removed from the lamp end of a flashlight without requiring disassembly of the flashlight.

In flashlights, it is recognized that the exigencies of a situation may require a rapid changeover from conventional flashlight use to a flashlight that may be used as a signalling or light diffusing device, and then back to an ordinary flashlight Up to now such multi-purpose flashlights as were used, for example, for signalling purposes, were unwieldy, or were constructed in such a manner that they could not be readily transformed without dismantling or disassembling the entire flashlight.

It is, therefore, an important object of the present invention to provide an improved flashlight attachment suitable for use as a flashlight for spotlight or floodlight operation, or for signalling uses, and adapted to be detachably attached to the lamp end of a flashlight without requiring disassembly of the flashlight.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is an elevational view of a flashlight embodying the principles of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional view of the lamp end of the flashlight shown in Fig. 1, taken along the line 22;

Fig. 3 is a modification of the flashlight attachment of the present invention; and

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the large diameter end of the flashlight attachment shown in Figs. 2 and 3.

Indicated generally at is a conventional flashlight having an outer cell casing 11, which may include suitable batteries (not shown) and a switch 12. The casing 11 is provided with a threaded end 13 for receiving thereon a threaded cylnidrical member 14. Extending radially inwardly from the end of the member 14 is an inturned retaining flange 15 for holding the lamp end parts, reflector 16 and lens 17, in assembled relation. A lens ring 18 overlies the cylindrical member 14, the lens ring having an inturned annular flange 19 overhanging the retaining flange 15 in spaced relation to the lens 17, and defining an annular, channel shaped clearance space 19a. Light is supplied by a bulb B mounted in the center of the reflector 16.

The present invention resides in a flashlight attachment adapted to be detachably attached to the lamp end of a conventional flashlight for rendering it suitable for use as a signaling device or light diffuser without disassembling the flashlight. Accordingly, the attachment of the present invention comprises a cup shaped member, sleeve, or tube 20, preferably made in one piece from a flexibly bendable, light pervious, resinous material, for example, polyethylene. The tubular attachment 20 comprises a substantially cylindrical wall 21 of diminishing diameter, having a base diameter slightly less than the inside diameter of the lens ring flange 19, and

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terminating in a radially outwardly extending, annular retention lip or flange 22. As shown in diameter end of the tubular attachment 20 is terminated by a substantially flat end wall 23.

Conversion of the flashlight 10 into a signalling device is accomplished by positioning and centering the base end of the attachment tube 20 adjacent the lens ring 18. Compression of the open end of the tube 20 permits insertion of afforded by the lens 17 and the overhanging ring flange 19. Release of pressure on the attachment allows the lip end of the attachment to assume its normal cylindrical form, so that it yieldably nests against the lens ring 18 in fixed relation therewith. As shown in Fig. 4, attachment of the tube 20 to the lamp end of the flashlight 10 is facilitated by preferably forming the lip 22, wedge shaped. This wedge shape also minimizes the possibility of the tubular attachment of the present invention'working itself loose.

In operation, the light transmitted through the edge of the lens passes through the sloping wall 21 of the signalling attachment 20, and imparts a glowing, nonglare, indirect illumination which is admirably suited for signalling purposes. The remaining light from the flashlight 10 passes through the translucent end wall 23, and, in so doing, becomes dispersed, thereby imparting a floodlight illumination effect. Transformation of the signalling device back to a flashlight is readily accomplished by applying a slight pressure in the region of the base of the tube 20, and withdrawing the lip 22 out of nesting engagement with the lens ring 18.

In the modification shown in Fig. 3, a spotlight type flashlight can also be transformed into a signalling device without necessarily dispensing with the spotlight beam. For this purpose the front end of the resinous attachment 20 is provided with a reinforcing lip 25 defining a cut-out area 26, permitting the light to come through. Thereby, part of the peripheral light beam emitted from the flashlight passes through the sloping wall 21 to provide indirect or floodlight illumination, and the remaining light passes through the opening 26 to provide spotlight illumination. The spotlight projected by the flashlight 10 using the attachment shown in Fig. 3 is of the same intensity as a spotlight beam from the same flashlight without the attachment, the former beam covering a slightly smaller area than the latter.

From the above it will be sen that the signalling attachment of the present invention is readily adapted to be applied to the lamp end of conventional flashlights without the necessity of disassembling the flashlight. The slight clearance aflorded betwen the inturned flange 19 of the lens ring 18 and the lens 17 is suflicient to cooperatively receive the lip end 22 of the attachment 20 to convert the flashlight into a signalling device. By application of a slight pressure, the attachment may be easily removed so that the flashlight is available for normal flashlight purposes.

The signalling device of the present invention is compact, light and sturdy, since the resinous material employed is relatively resilient, and not easily fractured. Other advantages arising out of the use of the present invention are as follows:

(1) It provides spotlight, floodlight, and signal functions at a cost of one flashlight.

(2) The flashlight remains operative if the attachment is lost or removed.

(3) The attachment provides some measurement of protection against lens breakage if the light is dropped.

(4) The attachment serves as an anti-grounding guard or insulation, which is particularly desirable in exposed electrical equipment.

Fig. 2, the smallthe lip 22 into the clearance space (5) It serves to convert any focused beam type flashlight into a floodlight.

What is claimed is:

1. In combination, a flashlight and a quick detachable floodlight-signal flashlight attachment therefor, said flashlight comprising a casing, a bulb, a lens and an L-shape lens ring overlying the outer margin of said lens, said lens and lens ring defining an annular clearance space therebetween, said attachment comprising a flexibly bendable translucent polyethylene sleeve having an opening at one end thereof, an outwardly projecting annular retaining flange integral with said sleeve and adjacent said open end, said flange being wedge shaped and adapted for removable insertion in said clearance space Without requiring disassembly of said flashlight, said sleeve being convergent away from said one end, whereby the light beam emitted from said flashlight is transmitted through said polyethylene sleeve to provide indirect illumination for floodlight or signalling purposes.

2. In a flashlight having a lens and lens ring defining a clearance space therebetween, a combination quick detachable spotlight floodlight and signalling attachment therefor comprising a flexibly bendable translucent polyethylene tube open at both ends thereof, an inwardly extending annular reinforcing lip at one end thereof, an outwardly extending annular wedge shaped retaining flange at the other end thereof, said retaining flange being adapted for insertion in and removal from said clearance space without disassembly of said flashlight, and said tube being convergent toward said other end, whereby part of the light beam emitted from said flashlight is transmitted through said polyethylene tube to provide indirect floodlight illumination, and the remaining light passes through said other opening to provide direct spotlight illumination.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,233,495 Muckenhirn July 17, 1917 1,330,481 La Paul Feb. 10, 1920 2,413,484 Berger Dec. 31, 1946 2,486,998 Szeklinski Nov. 1, 1949 2,615,096 Welch Oct. 21, 1952 

